If an uninsured motorist caused your car accident, get lawsuit information from the San Diego attorneys of Phillips & Pelly.
Phillips & Pelly
12520 High Bluff Dr. Ste 220,
San Diego, CA 92130
P/ 858.452.7766
North County
P/ 760.945.9962
Central County
P/ 858.794.1700
Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Lawsuit Information from Our San Diego Attorneys
Under normal circumstances, the damages resulting from a car accident are paid by the insurance company of the at-fault driver. However, if the driver who caused the collision has inadequate insurance or none at all, you may find that you are unable to pay your bills. If you believe that you are unable to receive adequate compensation due to an uninsured motorist, explore the possibility of a car accident lawsuit with the San Diego attorneys of Phillips & Pelly.
- About Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
- Don't Accept Your Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer
- What To Do After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
About Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is optional for San Diego drivers, but is still very important to have in case of a serious collision. If you are in a car accident caused by a driver who does not have insurance, your insurance company will pay for the damage caused to your car and pay for your medical bills. Underinsured motorist insurance is similar; if the total monetary amount of damage is greater than the amount covered by the other driver's insurance, you can petition your insurance company to cover the difference.
Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies are reluctant to pay out money on a claim, even if you had the appropriate uninsured motorist insurance before the car accident. A lawsuit by the San Diego attorneys of Phillips & Pelly may be the only recourse in cases like this, as insurance companies will often use confusing jargon and obscure rules against you. You need lawyers who are comfortable dealing with the intricacies of insurance claims, tactics of insurance companies, and who can take care of your claim from beginning to end to ensure that you get the compensation promised to you by your uninsured motorist insurance.
Don't Accept Your Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer
Your insurance company is in business to make money rather than to pay it out, meaning that the adjusters responsible for your claim may try to appease you by offering a settlement that is far lower than the amount you truly deserve. They may tell you that a quick monetary settlement after an uninsured motorist car accident is easier than the lawsuit process. Our San Diego-based attorneys caution all their prospective clients against this potentially unfair practice.
Though the amount you are offered may seem fair initially, it is important to remember that the true cost of your car accident may not be apparent for weeks or months after the initial collision. An inadequate settlement cannot take into account lost wages, ongoing physical therapy, or any of the other long-term costs caused by a car accident. If you choose to file a lawsuit against your insurance company, our attorneys will have the time necessary to compile all the facts that are pertinent to your case. We will not rest until you are offered a settlement that adequately accounts for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and damage to your vehicle.
What to Do After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
After a car accident with an uninsured motorist, the best thing you can do is to gather as much information as possible. Get the other driver's name, address, telephone number, driver's license information, and license plate number. If they have an expired auto insurance card, copy the policy number so you can verify the information with their old insurance company later. Most agencies will be happy to tell you when the policy expired, as they don't want to be involved in the claim.
If you have a digital camera, disposable camera, or cell phone camera with you, try to take as many pictures as possible of the damage and visible injuries caused by the car accident. A successful uninsured motorist car accident lawsuit in San Diego courts or elsewhere in California may depend on these details. Without proof of serious damage, your insurance company may try to offer you an inadequate settlement.
Take as many notes as possible, and gather names and phone numbers of any witnesses in the area. Be sure to get a copy of the police report. As soon as you are able, contact your insurance company to let them know what happened.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you should contact a qualified lawyer to talk about a possible car accident lawsuit. The San Diego firm of Phillips & Pelly can augment the details you've gathered with additional information about the accident to present a strong case to your insurance company. If you've recently been involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation.